Improved orchard-ladder



PATENT OEEICE.

OASSON HAYES, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVED ORCHARD-LADDER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 46,105, dated January 31, 1865.

To all whom fit may concern Be it known that I, CAssoN H AYEs, of Matt ison, in the county of Dane, in the State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and Improved 'Orchard or Fruit Ladder; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exa-ct description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my ladder. Fig. 2 is a back View of the same.

That others may understand the construction and operation of my invention, I will particularl y describe it.

A A is the frame or side pieces of my ladder, which may be constructed in any7 ordinary or suitable manner.

B is the back brace.

O C are side braces attached to the upper end of the trame A by the swivel-joint c, so that they may move in all directions for the purpose of bracing or supporting the top ofthe ladder when standing upon inclined ground.

D D are hooks on the sides of A, within which the braces o are secured by the buttons d when said braces are not required to be in use.

E E are metal points set in the ends of the side pieces, A, and the braces B and O, in order to prevent any possibility of said parts slipping on the ground.

ln using a fruit-ladder it is very frequently found necessary to place it upon ground that is sloping, and it is evident that a common step-ladder would be inadequate and unsafe in such a position. l therefore construct my back brace with but a single foot, instead of two feet, as is commonly seen in step-ladders. It is obvious that the back brace may be constructed of a single piece, hinged to or opposite to the center of the upper end of the ladder 5 but I prefer two pieces, joined at their lower ends, as o'ering the most durable and best form of construction. A cross bar or strip, h, ,is secured to the back brace B, B, in such a position that when said brace is folded up against the main frame A said strip h will lie parallel with one of the steps, as shown Vin Fig. 2. A button, g, is secured to the back of said step, so that when the brace B B is folded against the main frame said button can be turned over the strip h, and thus hold the brace B B rmly in contact with the main frame, for

convenience in transportation. As the center of gravity will not fall in a line parallel with the side pieces, A ,when the ladder stands upon uneven ground, and the joints will therefore be liable to be strained when a weight is put upon the ladder, I insert the angle-.irons i in the angles between the steps and side pieces. The side braces, O O, are to be used when the ground is so much inclined as to render their use necessary to prevent the ladder from falling over. The swivel-joint c is constructed by protruding a round pin having a flange head through a corresponding hole in a suitable plate, by means of which the whole is attached to the side of the frame, as shown. Upon the outer end ofthe pin is a suitable joint attaching it to the upper end of the side brace, O. It will be readily perceived that while the joint allows free motion of the brace in a lateral direction the swivel allows it to move withA equal freedom in a direction at right angles to the movement of the rule-joint, and the result of these two motions is to produce a universal joint.

When the ladder. is to be transported, the side legs or braces are secured in the hooks D-by the buttons d, and the back brace is secured by a button, g, as shown, and the whole presents an arrangement compact and convenient for transportation.

Having described my invention, what I claim isA The back brace, B, con structed with a single bearing-point, substantially as shown.

2. rlhe adjustable side braces, C O, in combination with the brace B, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. Securing the side braces, C C, by means of the hooks D and buttons d, as shown and described.

4. The strip h, or its equivalent, applied to the brace B B, and operating in combination with the button g, as and for the purpose set forth.

' OASSON HAYES.

Witnesses:

R. D. O. SMETTE, W. C. DODGE. 

